Chuao

I think I have a new favorite indulgence - Chuao Chocolate Cafes are a small, local chain of specialty chocolate shops based out of Carlsbad, which is just north of where we're living in Encinitas. I've seen them around, but never took the time to wander in and check one out.

Until today. I ran to the mall on my lunch hour to return a dress, and decided to stop into Chuao because it was next to Motherhood Maternity (how convenient, right?). They have a huge assortment of truffles and chocolates, plus chocolate bars, baking chocolate, gelato, and what looked like a wide variety of warm and exotic chocolate drinks.

The guy behind the counter told me that everything is hand made using chocolate from Venezuala, which is apparently unique to our country, and so I couldn't resist buying a dulce de leche carmel and another hazelnut cream-filled chocolate with a name I can't pronounce.

When I got back to my office, I discovered that the Chuao employee had slipped a third chocolate into my bag for free. Let's just say I had a VERY nice snack after lunch :-)